Setting goals can be daunting for most, but for Cherry Hill High School East’s Varsity Girls Soccer Captain, Alyssa Perez (‘25), it has always been natural. Ever since she started playing soccer at the age of three, she has felt at home on the field.
“I knew that I wanted to play at a college level when I was in eighth grade. I knew that I [would have] to work hard to get [where] I am today,” said Alyssa.
On August 22nd, 2024, Alyssa Perez committed to play Division III soccer at Ursinus College in Pennsylvania. She has an immense amount of experience in the sport, playing for a variety of teams such as the Medford Strikers, NJ ODP, and Cherry Hill FC. Currently, she is an outside back for SJEB FC and Cherry Hill East.
Commitment and dedication are imperative qualities of athletes in any sport. However, success is impossible without challenges and obstacles along the way. Over the past couple of years, Perez has had multiple injuries to her leg and hip that have set back her progress. Additionally, she has struggled with confidence. Especially when attending elite soccer camps with coaches that wouldn’t pay attention to her, staying positive was difficult.
“Soccer requires lots of dedication and it taught me how to set goals and how to also achieve those goals. It honestly shaped me to be the person I am today,” said Perez.
Playing the game with her teammates has given her perseverance and determination skills, as well as creating bonds that last. As a result of her dedication, she was named a captain for the East soccer team which made a major impact on her leadership skills and the team’s overall bond. Perez rose to the challenge, guiding her teammates through both losses and victories for the 2024 season.
“[I’m] hoping to just become a better player and learn different ways of the game from a different coaching perspective,” Alyssa said.
While browsing schools, Ursinus jumped out at Alyssa. One of the coaches had reached out to her after a tournament, which she described as a major “eyecatcher” for her. After this event, she began to research the college, discovering it met the majority of her preferred qualities of a school. She was given a tour by a senior currently attending the school where she got the opportunity to go out to lunch and meet the team.
“Never give up and keep working hard to reach [your] goals. Train when no one else is training [and] listen to your coaches. There are days when you’re gonna feel like [you’re] not good enough, but keep working because one day it will all pay off,” said Alyssa.